Two days later at family’s home
M. We can’t just sit here and watch our child suffer with that catheter constantly inside of her.
Al. What else can we do? Waiting time is long… You heard what the doctor said. Oh dear God, why don’t you take pity on us? Bad luck has been following us!
M. Let luck alone, Alexandros! Don’t blame God or fate for our situation! It is easy to believe that it’s not your fault … To believe that you are mistreated or the victim…Convenient it is! And how difficult and brave it is to judge yourself and admit that you’re wrong… Perhaps it’s not totally your fault, perhaps not everything depends on you but to some extent at least, we make our own destiny.
Al. What are you talking about?
M. I know…. Philosophy is less important at this moment that we are trying to figure out a way to save our child… But there is nothing else we’ve got left. That’s why…Because there is nothing else we’ve got left, because things are not as they used to be. That’s why I am not going to blame neither God nor the devil for all the problems we are facing. I will blame only us… To some point at least. Why are you looking at me like this? Don’t you get it?
We are being punished.
Al. What are you talking about? What do you mean we are being punished?
M. Yes we are Alexandros. Don’t tell me you don’t remember… And I….I deserve it! I deserve all this torture that I am going through now. But our little girl? You? Why you? You tried to convince me… You insisted but I…
Al. What are you talking about darling?
M. “The waiting list is long”…That’s the way it is. I am personally made it longer… It was then that I strongly refused to donate Petros’ organs. Remember now? It’s all my fault! I am responsible for this situation now!
Al. Come on. Relax and don’t think about it.
M. How can I not think about it? That’s the truth. When I look back, that’s what I see.
Al. Relax, It’s not time for looking back.
M. Yes, the past affects the present. It is taking its revenge! The parents of all those children who needed our son’s organs and they didn’t get them are taking their revenge now. And at the moment these children are either in need of life support or dead. It’s all getting back to us. Don’t you see it?
Al. You didn’t know back then…
M. Our life was so well-planned. Everything was going great. It was just the four of us and our happiness that mattered. We couldn’t see any further than that. We were never troubled by something really serious. And transplantations seemed to be so far away from us, like all these things you see in movies, on TV and they are never going to happen to you. Until everything changed. We changed. The facts and the situation changed us. We are mortals and we need each other in this life. I know it’s not the right time for conclusions. But I can’t avoid explaining why we are going through all this now! I once refused to become donor and now we have come to be waiting for a transplant.
Al. We need to move on.
M. Right. And now what? Torture. And we will wait to see who is the last one standing?
Al. Be patient, we’ll figure out a way.
Here interfere two scenes with no words:
The one shows Alexandros spent the night in front of the laptop, searching for information and the other shows him again, this time he is stressed and troubled and he discusses with the nephrologist . The latter seems to be analyzing something and he looks worried, negative and doubtful. A proper music theme is heard.
The next day, the parents sit in their living room.
Al. I want to talk to you. I want us to discuss something and if you agree I will talk to Anne too.
M. What is it? I’m listening.
Al. I did some research yesterday on the internet…I searched it thoroughly…. And I talked with the nephrologist this morning. It’s about transplants from other countries.
M. And? Can we be added to waiting of another country?
Al. I don’t know, perhaps. But I suppose we will have to wait, I don’t know how long, I didn’t do my research on that. M. And what was your research on?
Al. I suggest that we take Anne to Philippines.
M. Where?
Al. Before you say anything just listen. We have to contact the hospital first. Then they will take care of the rest. There are many kidney donors. It costs 80.000 dollars. In total, including the hospital and the donor’s payment.
M. What are you talking about? You want us to take our child to a third world country?
Al. No, it’s not like other countries such as India, where there is no hygiene in hospitals and people are desperate and sell their kidney for a very small amount of money. Many Greeks have been in Philippines for the same reason. I read their interviews in newspapers. It is better there. They take good care of you, they give you a single room, they look after you. There is poverty there and people sell their organs… Hospitals have lists with donors.
M. Oh good Lord, how terrible. I feel ashamed even when I think of it.
What did the doctor say? Is he positive? Al. He wasn’t very positive.
M. And you will travel to Philippines, although the doctor, who treats Anne, disagrees with it? And apart from that, it is disgusting and just the think of it makes me shudder.
Al. I know it’s not exactly moral. But we are desperate… Mary,
listen to me. We’ll sell the apartment that I’ve inherited from my father in Thessaloniki and with that money I will take Anne to Philippines. I f I don’t find a buyer soon, I will get a loan from the bank, as much money as I can, after all I’ve been working there for years and many colleagues of mine have got loans and even more money. If I have to I will use the money I’ve been saving, I don’t care. We have no time for sentimentalism. You think I am not ashamed? But I can’t watch Anne suffer like this for years!
M. I am afraid…What if something goes wrong there? Where can we address? I am scared to death when I think that we might be exposed at such a country.
Al. You shouldn’t be afraid! This is our last card. You must be by her side. Remember what you said? That you would do anything to save her… This is how it shall be done Mary. You’ll stay here, I don’t want you to suffer any more, I will get the money and as soon as I get it, we’ll go to Manila. And you’ll see… Everything will be fine. We suffered enough. This time we are going to win.
M. And what about my kidney? It is still inside of her. Are they going to remove it?
Al. No, I talked with the doctor. That is not necessary. She can receive a second one, without having the first removed. Unless there is rot of kidney, thrombosis or bleeding.
They are silent, they look each other.
Call Anne now…
Three months later. Anne went to Philippines with her father. She accepted the transplant, everything went great. And they came back to Greece. We are now in the nephrologist’s office. The doctor has supposedly just tested her.
Neph. So, Annie How are you feeling? I think you’re fine. A. I’m ok. Tired but ok.
Neph. What you did was a big risk. I, as you know, was against that decision. I know it was a choice of need, but still a risky one. Are you happy now?
A. I am not ungrateful after all that we’ve been through. But I don’t know what to feel: happiness or shame. Relief or guilt. Neph. What can I say? I am nobody’s judge. I wish the transplant lasts as much as possible. Take care and remember: Healthy nutrition, physical exercise and unfailing medicine intake.
A. I’ll do my best. I know that it won’t last for life but I will take good care of it. I am going to be its “box”, doctor.
Neph. Take care Anne, we’ll be in touch. A. Bye for now.
The scene ends.